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Open doors/Dog attacks.

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
k9d
Posts: 11
Joined: 26 Jun 2012, 20:20
Gender: Male

Re: Open doors/Dog attacks.

Post by k9d »

Had a bloke swearing at me on Sat because I wouldn't go in his garden with a puppy loose.

come Friday when his letter from DWP arrives I will take great delight in not delivering it. :Very Happy
Pat Ostman
Posts: 2797
Joined: 17 Sep 2008, 21:53
Gender: Male
Location: In the Line Managers office being screwed over.

Re: Open doors/Dog attacks.

Post by Pat Ostman »

k9d wrote:Had a bloke swearing at me on Sat because I wouldn't go in his garden with a puppy loose.

come Friday when his letter from DWP arrives I will take great delight in not delivering it. :Very Happy
The "it won't bite brigade" and their follow up hit "never done that before"
Run, rabbit run. Dig that hole, forget the sun.
And when at last the work is done. Don't sit down, it's time to dig another one
Sharkeyes
Posts: 141
Joined: 13 Sep 2010, 18:47
Gender: Male

Re: Open doors/Dog attacks.

Post by Sharkeyes »

Right lads and girls,

Some legal points for you on DOG ISSUES.

Firstly ALL owners or person/s deemed in charge of ANY Dog are guilty of an offence under the 1871 DOGS ACT, if they fail to exercise PROPER CONTROL OF a dog in :
Any PUBLIC place in ENGLAND & Wales, or
Any PLACE, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE IN Scotland. (Well done to the Scottish Parliament on that one). :dance

Proper control : is a PHYSICAL restraint to which the dog is attached to the handler, eg: a lead.
A verbal command is NOT sufficient as the dog does not speak English and the handler has NO
control over the dog, whether they say it's obedient or not.

PUBLIC PLACE : ENGLAND & WALES (at present), is defined as ANY place to which the public have access.
This includes shared drive ways, pavements, roadways & car parks and the like.

This means that once you enter a private piece of land such as through a gate into a garden, you are on private property ,
which DOES NOT COME UNDER THE 1871 ACT.
IT IS A CIVIL MATTER, Except in Scotland were ANY PLACE under the Dogs Scotland Act applies to anywhere, so you ARE protected in law, in Scotland.

Irrespective of Royal Mail policy & H&S law, these CRIMINAL ACTS are there to protect US as well in our jobs and this legislation is a useful tool to use and be guided by.
Quite simply, if you are unsure about a dog on/in the property, DO NOT GO THERE!
In England & Wales, stay on the public highway// pavement, so that if you are attacked by a dog thats gets out onto the street, then the 1871 Dogs Act covers you and the handler can be prosecuted for FAILING TO EXERCISE PROPER CONTROL IN A PUBLIC PLACE. The animal need not even bite you for the offence to be complete.

Forget the 1993 Dangerous Dogs Act which is not worth the paper it was written on.
Also bare in mind that some police officers are not too understanding of the law on this either, but ALL responsible dog owners will know this and take steps to prevent their pet escaping.
Children opening doors thinking that they are doing the postie a favour is also FAILING TO EXERCISE PROPER CONTROL if the dog is allowed to go on to PUBLIC land, eg the pavement, which is why you have a better legal standing if you remain there instead of attempting to deliver on PRIVATE property.

'IF IN DOUBT = LEAVE IT OUT!"

your health and safety is more important than an irresponsible dog owner getting their mail!
They can come and collect it every day until they get so fed up doing that, that they decide to comply with the responsible people and keep the the dog UNDER CONTROL,
IE : restrained, either kept in a locked yard, back room or kennel on a PHYSICAL LEAD.

Don't take a chance! You can't be sacked for willful / unexcused delay as long as you report it to your DOM and endorse the items accordingly, even if you feel threatened just by the fact that the door is open and you genuinely believe that a dog is there which puts you in fear of physical violence towards you from the dog.

Note that legislation for NI , Scotland, England and Wales differs and is constantly under review and amendment in all these parliaments / assembly's. But you do have the right in all to do your job free from fear of physical violence, including dog attacks.
Deliveries have and will continue to be suspended were such instances occur.
brothermagrew
Posts: 3015
Joined: 06 Aug 2007, 16:38
Gender: Male
Location: Shares a border with England to the south.

Re: Open doors/Dog attacks.

Post by brothermagrew »

Brother Sharkeyes where does the 1993 come into it. The Act to which you refer is the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 which was further amended by the Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1997.
"Today’s workplace has become heartless and soulless. Employees are seen as units of labour, automatons, functionaries, objects for achieving designated tasks, and as costs to be minimised."
eastie
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 2234
Joined: 16 Jun 2011, 15:32
Gender: Male

Re: Open doors/Dog attacks.

Post by eastie »

The estates I deliver have no gates or fences and the only barrier is the front door or back gate, if either is open theres not a lot you can doas you still have to walk past the house.